Variance Sought For Narrow Lot

Thu., April 9, 1998

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

In/Around: Cliff Park

A property owner near Cliff Park wants the city to grant him a variance on a vacant lot next to his home so the lot can be used for another house.

Clarence House has owned a pair of lots at 527 W. 13th for years and now wants to sell the land.

In the 1960s, he sold 1.5 feet of his vacant lot at 523 W. 13th to neighbors to the east. He did that because the neighbors inadvertently built a garage and driveway on his property, said Andrew Worlock, of the city zoning staff.

The sale of the tiny strip of land caused the vacant lot to measure 48.5 feet in width.

Under city zoning codes, no home can be built on a lot measuring less than 50 feet. That law has been in effect since 1958.

House has applied for a variance from the city’s minimum lot width so a future owner could build on the vacant lot. Since he wants to sell the property, the variance would increase the value of the second lot, Worlock said.

The issue must go before the city hearing examiner. No hearing date has been set, but notices are being posted to let neighbors know about the proposal.

Public comments are also being accepted by the hearing examiner at City Hall.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.